2004 World Series Ring Goes on Local Auction Block

A former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher is selling his 2004 World Series ring. Scott Williamson says he’s consigned the ring to Everything but the House, a Cincinnati-based auction company. It’s believed to be the first player’s ring from the Red Sox team that broke an 86-year drought of championships to be offered for sale. A scout’s ring was placed on eBay in 2007.

The 1999 National League Rookie of the Year says he needs the money to help build a dream house that’s cost him more than he anticipated and also to build a youth baseball facility for kids along the Ohio-Indiana border.

“In baseball, I thought, ‘What is one of the most important things that happened in my career that I could give up to accomplish something that would be even bigger?’ ” Williamson, 35, told the Boston Herald. “And it’s my World Series ring. I’ve got All-Star rings and other things through the years, but the World Series ring to me was humongous. It was 86 years.”

Williamson was actually left off the team’s post-season roster in 2004 despite coming back from injury late in the season.

The auction is scheduled to end on Oct. 25.

Williamson and his wife, Lisa, have two children and say that while they aren’t desperate, most of their money is tied up in a home they built in Guilford, Ind., that’s become a money pit because of the shaky economy.

The auction company will put the ring on display at its Cincinnati office next Saturday.

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].